Fluid spreader



Feb. 7, i950 s. GOLDSPIEL Erm.

FLUID SPREADER pia July 3o, 194e l l. 28 F5 INVENTOR5 l SOLOMON OLDSP/EL Mf/SLER Jos EPH to extend.

Patented Feb. 7, 1950 FLUID SPREADER Solomon 'Goldspiel and Joseph Mesler, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 30, 1946, Scrial'No.1687,162

1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for use in spreading or distributing uids on surfaces of any type and kind. More particularly, the invention deals with `a device comprising a can-like casing with means on the casing adjustably controlling discharge of the fluid therefrom and for spreading fluid evenly over a surface and, further, with means for moving the device over a surface. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a device of the character described, wherein a single control regulates a plurality of independent discharges for providing a substantially even distribu-tion of fluid throughout the entire length of the casing of the device to facilitate even spreading and coverage of the fluid on a surface.

The novel features orf the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in vwhich certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. l is a side and sectional View through the casing of a device made according to our invention, with parts of the construction broken away.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line -3-3 of Fig. l, omitting part of the background structure; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View on the line '2l-1l of Fig. l.

The device is in the form of a can-like casing I0, substantially oblong and rectangular in iorm and comprising side wals I I and I2 and end walls I3 and M, the side walls :II and i2 joining in a top wall I5. The bottom of the cas-ing lIll is closed by an inwardly set :and substantially thick bottom plate vI-l, which leaves the lower ends 'of the side wall il and I2 protruding, `as seen at II and I2 in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The end walls 13' and .I4 also extend downwardly, as seen at I3', I4", Fig. 1, and generally `'conform to the contour of a supplemental bottom wall I1 arranged in wide spaced relationship to the bottom wall It to form a fluid -distributing chamber 118 therebetween.

The bottom wall Il has raised side walls I9, which curve outwardly and downwardly to form longitudinal channels 2B., note Fig. 4. The downwardly vextending wall parts 2 l, defining one side of the channel, terminate in upwardly extending flanges '22 spaced with respect to the walls 20 to form narrow channels 23, in which the lower ends II', I2' of the walls II and I2 are adapted At spaced intervals along the wall extensions Il', I2 are cutouts `forming .yieldable latch tongues 24 and, at adjacent portions of theflange 2-2 are other cutouts lforming latch tongues `215, prefer-ably wider than the tongues '24 to insure alinement and engagement with 'the tongues 24, 25 one with respect to the other. The tongues 24 are directed upwardly and the 'tongues 25, downwardly. It will, thus, be seen that, in attaching the bottom wall ITI, the ends I I', I2 extend downwardly into the Achannels 23 and the yielding tongues spring one `over the other and snap into holding posit-ion. Detachment is possible by simply springing the flanges outwardly, as will be apparent. only one pair .of the latch tongues 24 .25 is shown in detail `in Fig. 4 and indicated in Fig. 1, .but three lof these will be arranged along each ii'ange 2-2., one centrally and one at .each end portion of the flange.

Extending `upwardly from the supplemental bottom wall Il are two stop pins 2B, 26' to check downward movement of a valve .head or bar 21, as later described. The supplemental lbottom wall 'Il has a .series of longitudinaldischarge passages 28 -centrally and longitudinally thereof through which fluid in the `chamber YI8 is discharged onto a surface, over which the device is moved.

The end wall Il has an outwardly projecting threaded admission tube l29 lclosed by a suitable cap `313 facilitating filling of the chamber '311 of the can or casing. The top wall I5 has a nut body 32 welded vor otherwise secured thereto, in connection with which is threaded a valve .stem 33 having at its upper or :outer end a milled head 34, by means of which the stem 33 .may be rotated. A suitable packing gland 315 may be Iemployed around the valve ystem within the nut body. Also secured to the top oi the can is an indicating finger 36 which may register with suitable markings on the top of the head 34 to indicate lad- ,justments of the bar 2l in control oaf the ldischarge of fluid from the chamber 31 through a series 'of discharge passages 31 spaced centrally and longitudinally vof the bottom wall I6. The passages 31 are relatively small and open into larger passages 38 lforming valve seats .39 between said large and small diameter passages 3l and 38. Loosely supported in suitable sockets III, inthe bar 2l, are a plurality of valves III adapted to operate upon the seats 39 :in sealing 'the discharges 31. The valves 4I carry at their upper ends reduced needles #i2 which kextend through the passages and are, rat all times, in the passages 35|. The needles (42 are slightly conical in form so `as to control, to some degree, the discharg through :the respective passages.

It is also preferred that the outermost valves on the bar 21 are slightly longer than the next adjacent valves and the latter slightly longer than the innermost valves. In other words, considering the left side of Fig. 1, the valve Ma is slightly longer than valve 4 Ib and 4Ib is slightly longer than 4Ic. The same is true of the three valves at the other end portion of the bar 21. In this way, positive sealing of all valves is insured in moving the bar 21 upwardly. The end valves, as at 4Ia, seat first; the valves 4|?) seat second and the valves 4Ic, seat last, the bar 21 springing suiiciently in accomplishing this result. The diiference in length will be slight and is indicated in the drawing. l

The free mounting of the valves 4I, in the bar 21, also insures proper seating of all valves.

The lower end of the valve stem 33 is reduced,

as seen at 43, where it passes through the bar 21 and a washer 44 is-mounted on the reduced end 43 and held in place by a Cotter-pin 45, so as to permit free rotation of the valve stem in the bar 21 in the operation of raising and lowering said bar. The bar is retained against swinging movement by the square ends1 one of which is shown at 46, engaging the end'walls I3 and I4', as will be apparent. The bottom I 6 has a valve stem guide sleeve 41 welded or otherwise ysecured thereto to guide and reinforce the stem 33 in its passage through said wall. It is also preferred that a packing gland '48 be arranged between the sleeve and the wall I6, as shown. The upper end of the valve stem has an elongated vent passage 49 which extends into the chamber 3I and the valves 4I are in open posi- 'tion so as to insure discharge of the fluid from the chamber 3|. However, when the valves are Iraised into closed position, the vent will be sealed, thus facilitating any desired handling or packingof the complete device.

On the side walls I3 and I 4 are pivot pins 50, D', in connection with which the side members 5l, 5|. of a handle membei- 'yoke 52 are adapted tobe` pivoted. rThe side members 5I, 5I' have, on their inner surfaces, inwardly extending recessed bases 53, 53' adapted to be sprung into engagement with either one of two short, rounded pins 54, 54', 55, 55 in retaining the yoke 52 in different positions of inclination, as is indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, in moving the fluid spreader device over a floor or other surface. In Fig. 2, the yoke 52 is shown in engagement with the pins 54, 54'. However, in getting under articles of furniture or the like, the yoke may be swung downwardly for engagement with the pins 55, 55', as will be apparent.v Secured centrally to the cross-head 56 of the yoke 52 is a suitable handle member, indicated in dot and dash lines at 51, in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

It will be noted from a consideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing that the discharge apertures 28 vare preferably arranged directly beneath the valves 4I. It will be understood, however, that the fluid discharged intothe chamber I8 will be distributed and the back and forth reciprocation of the device over the floor will also serve yto distribute the fluid in the chamber I8 for discharge through the several passages 28 to accomplish a relatively even spreading of the uid on the surface by spreaders or applicators 58, 58'. The spreaders or applicators are in the form of blade-like units detachable with respect to the channels and each comprise a spring-plate 59 anda wiper-strip 50 `of greater width than the plate 59 so as to protrude below the lower end of any'kind.

of the plate and said lower end of the strip is preferably slit at longitudinal intervals, as seen at 6I, in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The strip 60 may be composed of any suitable semi-firm, but ilexible, material, such as a felt strip and, by slitting the strip, as at 6I, a substantially smooth wiping effect can be accomplished over surfaces which may be slightly irregular, the slits 6I forming independently exing members 62 therebetween. The blade unit also includes a U-shaped mounting strip 63 which firmly joins the upper end portions of the plate 59 and strip 60 and forms a means for mounting and retaining the blade unit in the channel 2U, while permitting forcible detachment from the channel in cleaning, repair or replacement of the blade units as and when desired. It will be understood, however, that the blade mountings in the channels 20 is sufficiently secure to prevent accidental displacement in frictional'engagement of the strip 60 with the surface over which the device is moved. The two strips 60 form below the bottom wall I1 a space into which the fluid is discharged to facilitate spreading of the fluid by the wipers or applicators 60. The wiper or applicator strips are backed-up and reinforced by the spring strips 59 which maintain the spacing referred to. It will also be understood that sole support of the device is taken up by the strips GB in conjunction with the strips 59, the strips 60, however, maintaining sole contact with the surface and being suiciently rigid to accomplish this result. It will, of course, be apparent that strips of different structures can be employed in different uses of the device and in the application of different types and kinds of the fluid.

One use of the device is for the application of liquid waxes to floors or other surfaces and, particularly, waxes of this type and kind which simply require even spreading over the surface. There are other types and kinds of iiuids which are regarded as coating fluids used for coating Vfloors for protection of the surfaces, particularly in coating linoleum and various other types of composition flooring, generally referred to as floor tiling. It will be understood, however, that the device may be made in different sizes for different uses. It is contemplated, however, that yone use would comprise a casing or container of a gallon capacity thereby making it possible, by reason of the simple and economic construction of the complete unit, to sell the unit as a complete assemblage in the purchase of a gallon of the fluid. The container part of the device can then be turned in in the purchase of a replacement, allowance being made for the can or casing in the second purchase and the seller or distributor can care for cleaning and servicing of the can for the re-sale. On the other hand, the complete applicator can be sold in the purchase of a number of cans of fluid and the purchaser can, from time to time, re-place the wiper blade units and have, at all times, a simple, practical and economic form of device for spreading or applying fluids of any type or kind to surfaces It will be understood that the side members 5I 5I' of the handle yoke can be quickly and easily sprung-off from the pins 50, 50' in packaging, shipment and/ or storage of the device. In Fig. l, the valve bar 21 is shown in its lowermost position of adjustment. It will be understood, however, that any adjustment can be provided from the wide open to a fully closed position in rotation of the milled head 34. The thread 33 on the valve stem 33 will be preferably of a quickthread type so as to accomplish fully open to fully closed position within one complete revolution of the valve stem, thereby facilitating control through the gauge or indicating finger 36.

The showing in Fig. 1 of the drawing of the different heights in the valves 41a, 1lb and Mc is exaggerated. In actual practice, the difference in valve lengths will be slight, but sufficient to accomplish the independent seating of the valves as heretofore stated.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the class described comprising a casing having an inset fixed bottom wall leaving depending Walls on the casing, means for introducing uid into the casing, a detachable supplemental bottom wall forming in the casing below the xed wall a distributor chamber, means on the supplemental bottom wall forming upwardly and downwardly extending channels, depending walls of the casing tting in said upwardly extending channels, yieldable means on said depending walls and channel forming means for retaining the supplemental bottom wall against displacement from the casing, the xed bottom wall having a plurality of longitudinally spaced discharge apertures, a plurality of needle valves controlling said apertures, a single manually operated member adjustably supporting said valves in regulating the flow of fluid from the casing into said distributor chamber, said supplemental bottom Wall having longitudinally spaced discharges, through which iiuid is adapted to pass onto a surface, wipers detachably mounted in said downwardly directed channels and extending below the lower surface of the supplemental bottom wall for spreading fluid discharged onto a surface, said needle valves being greater in length at the ends of the member than at the central portion thereof to provide independent seating of said valves, whereby end apertures of the fixed bottom wall are closed prior to the central apertures, and a handle member pivotally supported on the casing for moving the device over a, surface.

SOLOMON GOLDSPIEL.

JOSEPH MEISLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le 'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 929,943 Hart Aug. 3, 1909 1,545,392 Brown July 7, 1925 1,773,894 Tripp Aug. 26, 1930 1,795,673 Poschinger Mar. 10, 1931 1,899,392 Larkin Feb. 28, 1933 1,955,703 Whittenberg Apr. 17, 1934 2,194,819 Brownstein Mar. 26, 1940 2,235,581 King Mar. 18, 1941 2,261,411 Rees Nov. 4, 1941 

